Social Contract for all GJSD stakeholders

the Greater Johnstown School District logo in gold and purple colors

September 7, 2021

Many of the questions and concerns we encounter as we reopen our schools during the COVID-19 pandemic may be answered by the points outlined here in this “social contract.” 

In order to provide safe, in-person learning, GJSD needs to have the full cooperation from all students and their families, administration, staff and members of the Board of Education. Everyone in our learning community needs to agree to abide by safeguards that have been determined by the District to provide us with the greatest opportunity for stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

We are in this together and must have a unified mindset. We know that our greatest strength is in our relationships with each other. The District asks each student, family, and staff member to join us in an unsigned “social contract” which is a call for each person to do their part to protect one another from the coronavirus and look forward to an educational experience in 2021-22 that is as safe and possible for all staff and students.

 

The school District will:

  • Put recommended and mandated safety protocols in place to safeguard all school personnel and students from the coronavirus so that all students may learn in-person, every day.
  • Educate and monitor students, staff and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Work to provide a safe environment for all students and staff, imposing necessary school-wide requirements to be observed by all students and staff; The District will also provide appropriate accommodations for students and staff in rare cases where the District determines they are necessary.
  • Plan and provide for instruction and opportunities for learning for 100% of its students; this can happen when the District’s requirements, rules, processes and procedures are observed.
  • Ensure that face masks will be worn indoors by everyone upon entering the District’s buildings, but also allowing for acute common sense to be used in decision-making for times when mask breaks may occur. The District will provide non-surgical, disposable face coverings to any individual entering the school who does not have one.
  • Ensure physical distancing recommendations whenever possible; students will not be prevented from learning in-person because of structural limitations that do not allow recommended minimum physical distancing (eating, drinking, participation in music classes, etc.).
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces during the day, and where applicable decrease the number of high-touch surfaces students and staff are exposed to.
  • Ensure health ventilation and air circulation on buses, in classrooms, and other locations to the extent practicable.
  • Train staff and students in proper hand hygiene and respiratory practices, and provide necessary opportunities and supplies so that students and staff can practice good hand-washing hygiene throughout the day.

 

School District personnel will:

  • Diligently employ the use of Google Classroom for grades K-12 to upload current lesson standards and instructional materials daily so that there may be consistent, robust, and beneficial continuity of instruction in any event.
  • Uphold all District-required safety protocols and ensure full in-person participation by students in their charge.
  • Report to their principal or director/supervisor, and not come to work if they have COVID-19 symptoms that could potentially cause harm to others.

 

Families will:

  • Uphold all District-required safety protocols, and appeal to the building principal on rare occasions when accommodations must be considered (e.g. wearing of face masks).
  • Provide two (2) face coverings for their child with their name on it. If unable to do so, the District will provide disposable, non-surgical masks to students upon arrival.
  • Reinforce proper hand hygiene practices used at school, the wearing of face coverings, and social distancing protocols.
  • Monitor the health of their child(ren) on a daily basis, and not send students to school if they have COVID-19 symptoms that could potentially cause harm to others.
  • If a student must go home because they exhibit symptoms, the student must seek advice and provide documentation from a medical professional in order to come back later that day or the next day.

 

Students will:

  • Uphold all District-required safety protocols, and appeal to the building principal on rare occasions when accommodations must be considered (e.g. wearing of face masks).
  • Bring their two (2) face coverings with their name on it to school everyday. If unable to do so, the district will provide disposable, non-surgical masks to students upon arrival.
  • Tell their teacher or other school adult or parent/guardian if they are not feeling well.
  • Wear face coverings at all times except for when eating or drinking, or at the instruction of a staff member who has determined that appropriate physical distancing may be maintained.
  • Wash and dry their hands each time after going to the bathroom.
  • Wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after they touch their mouth or nose.